Gordon Liu

Gordon Liu (Lau Kar-fai simplified Chinese: 刘家辉; traditional Chinese: 劉家輝; pinyin: Liú Jiāhuī; Wade–Giles: Liu Chia-hui; Jyutping: Lau4 Gaa1 fai1); born Sin Kam-hei (simplified Chinese: 冼锦熙; traditional Chinese: 冼錦熙; pinyin: Xiǎn Jǐnxī, 22 August 1955)^[1] is a Chinese actor, filmmaker, and martial artist. He entered the Hong Kong film industry as a stuntman, eventually having minor roles in several Kung-fu films, including the Shaw Brothers-produced Five Shaolin Masters (1974). He went on to appear in many Shaw Brothers films, often portraying Shaolin monks. As an actor, Liu has appeared in over 100 films.^[2]

Having starred in one of the most impactful martial arts films of all time, 1978's The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Liu is widely considered one of the greatest martial arts stars in the history of cinema.^[3]

Liu was born in Canton in 1955.^[4] He began practising martial arts at the age of 10.^[5] He studied Hung Ga kung fu at the school founded by Lau Kar-leung's father, Lau Cham.^[6] Liu started his movie career as a stuntman and got promoted to martial arts instructor afterwards.^[7]

Liu portrayed Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung in Challenge of the Masters (1976) and Shaolin hero San Te in the critically acclaimed The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978). He went on to star in films such as Heroes of the East (1978), Dirty Ho (1979), Clan of the White Lotus, Return to the 36th Chamber (both 1980), Martial Club (1981), and Disciples of the 36th Chamber (1985). By the late-1980s, Liu had begun accepting smaller roles, such as in Lau Kar-leung's Tiger on the Beat (1988). In 1993, he played the antagonist Master Liu Hung in Last Hero in China, opposite Jet Li's character.

Liu made his American film debut in 2003. He played two roles in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films: Johnny Mo, the leader of the Crazy 88 yakuza gang in Volume 1 (2003), and kung fu master Pai Mei in Volume 2 (2004). Other than being a staple in Hong Kong action movies and his foray into Hollywood, Liu also made his Bollywood debut in 2009's Chandni Chowk to China.^[8]

Liu directed two films, Breakout from Oppression (1973), and Shaolin and Wu Tang (1983).^[9]

Liu was an inspiration for the Mortal Kombat character Liu Kang. Originally a samurai named Minamoto Yoshitsune, the character was changed to a traditional monk instead - bald and sporting a robe. In addition, the artist and lead game designer John Tobias got the name Liu Kang from Liu.^[10] American rapper Masta Killa is named after Liu's character from the Wu-Tang favourite The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978).^[11]

Liu stands at a height of 5 ft 9 in.^[12]

Liu has been married twice.^[13]

In August 2011, Liu experienced a stroke and had to undergo extensive physical therapy.^[14]